Teaching Philosophy
Effective teaching combines command of the content with the skill to convey it.
My overarching goal as an educator is to develop students who not only understand the
material presented but build the skills to apply that knowledge across different
situations. I design courses around exercises that emphasize critical thinking and
collaboration while working through real-world issues tied to the course material, so
students can use what they learn in the near term and carry it into many areas of interest.
I see the teacher as a knowledgeable guide who takes students on a journey of discovery,
tailoring material to different learning styles and drawing on current events and humor
to keep the work engaging. I vary my methods across cases, discussion groups, lecture,
and technology to enrich the experience.
I want students to retain and relate what we discuss to the world around them,
transforming into scholar-practitioners. Through a habit of active learning and applied
knowledge, students form a deeper connection with the material that lasts well beyond
the course.
Academic Appointments
2025–Present
Professor of the Practice, Project Management
Teaches undergraduate and graduate project management. Designs, updates, and delivers PMBOK-aligned curriculum as lead faculty, advises students, and serves on faculty and curriculum development committees.
2013–2025
Associate Professor (Tenured)
Taught project management and information systems across undergraduate and graduate programs, from management information systems and systems analysis through business intelligence, big data analytics, cloud computing, and IT project management.
Tenured Associate 2023–2025 · Assistant 2017–2023 · Instructor 2015–2017 · Visiting 2013–2015
2021–2022
Faculty Program Director, Information Technology
Excelsior University · Albany, NY
2012–2013
Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems
Wayne State College · Wayne, NE
2008–2010
Assistant Professor of Technology Administration
Washburn University · Topeka, KS
2005–2008
Instructor & Chair of Information Technology
Ottawa University · Ottawa, KS
2005–Present
Adjunct Faculty
Current
Colorado State University Global (since 2013) · University of the Cumberlands (since 2017) ·
University of Virginia (since 2022) · Westcliff University (since 2022) ·
Tarleton State University (since 2023) · Trine University (since 2023)
Previous
Cornell University (2021–2025) · Emeritus/MIT (2022–2023) · Walden University (2005–2011)
University Service
Present
Doctoral Dissertation Committees
University of the Cumberlands · Indiana Wesleyan University
2018–2021
Chair, Diversity, Inclusion & Equity Committee
School of Business, Emporia State University
Courses Taught
Undergraduate through doctoral, across six institutions and in face-to-face, hybrid,
and fully asynchronous formats.
Project Management
IT Project Management · Project Management & Capstone · Graduate Project Management sequence · Technology Project · Project Management (undergraduate)
Information Systems
Management Information Systems Concepts · Systems Analysis & Design · Principles of Computing & Information Systems · Introduction to IT Systems · Introduction to Databases · Database Management
Analytics & Data
Introduction to Analytics · Business Intelligence & Analytics · Big Data Analytics · Business Analytics · Information Systems for Managerial Decision Making
Security, Cloud & Governance
IT Strategy & Governance · Security & Business Continuity · Security · Cloud Computing & Management · Telecommunications & Networking
Technology & Society
Technology & Society · Current Issues in Technology · Quality Management & Performance Evaluation · Safety Analysis & Quality Assurance · Systems Design, Assessment & Evaluation
E-Commerce & Development
Principles of Electronic Commerce · Electronic Commerce · Web Design · Rapid Applications Development · Operations Management · Management
Professional Experience
2020–Present
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
1906 Advisors LLC · Overland Park, KS
Leads strategic planning, financial reporting, human resources, and investor partnerships for a commercial real estate portfolio.
2020–Present
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
SMADERS LLC · Topeka, KS
Same remit on the residential side: planning, reporting, staffing, and investor relationships.
2010–2021
President & Co-Owner
K9 OTC, Inc. · Topeka, KS
Led strategic planning, financial reporting, and partnerships with regional law enforcement agencies for K9 training.
2008–2009
Project Manager
Propylon, Inc. · Dublin, Ireland
Recruited by an international software company to bring project management discipline to its development contracts with the State of Kansas. Managed a $2M software design budget and carried the effort from design into construction.
2003–2005
Chief Information Officer
Kansas Department of Agriculture · Topeka, KS
Set technical direction for the agency and aligned it with statewide objectives. Wrote the agency’s first strategic technology plan, completed a $1M Oracle project to improve data collection and reporting, initiated the RFID effort for Kansas participation in the National Animal ID system, and managed a technology budget of $1.2M to $1.7M.
2001–2003
Supervisor, Integrated Data Systems
Hill’s Pet Nutrition (Colgate-Palmolive) · Topeka, KS
Managed and integrated all R&D systems at the corporate Science and Technology Center, connecting custom applications with laboratory software, Lotus Notes, and SAP. Restructured the IT staff for 40% faster response times and introduced Crystal Enterprise, which became the model for the wider Hill’s and Colgate enterprise.
2000–2001
President
Savant Technology Partners, Inc. · Westchester, IL
Provided vision and direction for a technology firm offering strategic planning and technology services. Doubled the prospect closure rate and tripled sales across the first three quarters, and built a partner program that fielded three knowledge management products.
1997–2000
Manager, FERS Business Services
Chicago, IL
Served as liaison between client and consulting team, owning scope, implementation, budgeting, and staffing. Delivered a critical e-commerce site on time and on budget under tight constraints by assembling a team across client staff, internal consultants, and outside vendors.
1996–1997
Director of Operations
American Massage Therapy Association · Evanston, IL
Directed facilities, production, and systems for an association of more than 30,000 members. Automated back-office procedures, implemented a new membership database in two months, and launched the association’s first website.
1994–1996
Information Technology Project Manager
Fortis, Inc. · Milwaukee, WI
Managed development and installation of business-critical systems for a multinational insurance company, including a Lawson HR system spanning Milwaukee, Kansas City, and Minneapolis with legacy conversion and end-user training. Led configuration management across US sites totaling more than 1,000 desktops.
Certifications
- Authorized Training Partner (ATP) Instructor — PMP2025
- Authorized Training Partner (ATP) Instructor — CAPM2025
- Project Management Professional (PMP) — Credential #21779302018
- SAP ERPSIM Level 1 Certification2015
- State of Kansas Certified IT Project Manager2008